With voters hitting the polls in a matter of months, the Liberals pledge to get the nation "back on track" while Labor promises to "build Australia's future".
But Opposition Leader Peter Dutton lashed the government's campaign mantra, pointing to its handling of the economy and inflation.
"The cost of power has gone up, the cost of food, the cost of insurance, people's mortgages have gone up on 12 occasions under this government - and there's no blue sky ahead," he told reporters in Melbourne.
"The prime minister is talking about the next election and what the next term will look like, I don't know what this election and this term of parliament has been about.
"These are lost years for our country."
Mr Dutton criticised Labor's energy bill subsidy, branding it a "sugar hit" and said while people appreciated the support, it kept interest rates higher for longer.
The opposition leader, who voted against the $300 energy rebate, remained coy about what his party would offer voters at the federal election due by late May.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted his government's achievements in housing and the re-establishment of the China-Australia trade relationship, and said Mr Dutton's refusal to support energy bill relief indicated his leadership style.
"Peter Dutton represents a cold-hearted, mean-spirited and sometimes plain nasty response - and that's not going to help people," he told ABC Radio.
"We do need leadership in this country, but we need leadership with heart."
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton spoke of "lost years for our country" under the Albanese government. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)
After a week on the road across Western Australia, northern Queensland and the Northern Territory, Mr Albanese convened his first cabinet meeting of 2025 in Canberra on Monday.
During his opening remarks, he drew contrasts between his government and the coalition, claiming Mr Dutton wanted to "take Australia backwards" and shift the opposition further to the right.
"Today, we get down to work building further on our agenda and putting forward a positive, optimistic vision for Australia: one that unites Australia, not one that seeks to divide, one that seeks to bring people together, not looks for a political opportunity at every single occasion," he said in Canberra.
Mr Dutton meanwhile announced $7.5 million for Crime Stoppers in the federal electorate of Aston in Melbourne's east, after launching the coalition's unofficial campaign for the adjacent seat of Chisholm over the weekend.
Victoria is seen as vital for his bid to land Australia's top job, as he eyes off seats to pick up after the Liberal Party went backwards in the 2022 election.
The "let's get Australia back on track" slogan replicated the New Zealand National Party's election-winning rhetoric and has been likened to Donald Trump's "make America great again".
"What it means is that we want to help families who have really struggled under this government," Mr Dutton said.
"I really want our country to be the winner of the next election."
Health Minister Mark Butler criticised the opposition for not supporting cost of living relief. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
Health Minister Mark Butler criticised Mr Dutton for opposing the government's cost-of-living relief measures in parliament and not offering any policies in a signature campaign speech.Â
"It reflects this extraordinary arrogance that Peter Dutton thinks he can skate to victory at the upcoming election simply on rhetoric and sledging," he said.
Asked whether the coalition would consider tax cuts, Liberal frontbencher James Paterson said his party would have more to say in coming months.
"We'll always be fiscally responsible, but wherever we have the opportunity to reduce taxes, we'll do so," he told ABC News.
The opposition leader also confirmed he would soon reshuffle the coalition's front bench, while Mr Albanese said he would reallocate cabinet positions in January.
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